This gentleman is an influential citizen and large land owner of Pike County, living on the south west quarter of section 81, Derry Township. He has led a useful life, and looking back over the long years that have passed can recall scenes and incidents whose recital would be of great interest to all who are interested in the story of the developement of the contry, but which space will not alow us to enlarge upon. Mr. Williams has labored for more than thirty years to promulgate Christianity; preaching the glad tidings of salvation and being the means under Christ of adding many souls to the Church.

The history of the Williams family is not devoid of interest, and before entering upon the career of our subject we will speak briefly of his ancestors. His great-grandfather, Edward Williams, was born in VA, went to KY when a young man, and for some time lived in a block house and fought against the Indians. His first wife and two of their children were killed by savages, a third child, a son, was taken prisoner and held in captivity eight years, being finally restored to his father through a treaty. Mr. Williams was a planter and spent all his mature life in KY, dying at the extreme age of ninety-three. He reared four children, one of them, a son, Stephen, being born in KY about 1780. This gentleman pursued the same occupation as his father, and was also a minister in the Baptist Curch. He came to this state in 1822, settling in White County on the Wabash River, and was prominent in the pioneer ministry there. He was active in establishing the church and probably baptized more people than any other man in the state.

In 1854 Stephen Williams removed to Jefferson Co., Iowa, where he continued his ministerial labours until his death. He was eighty-three years of age when he entered into rest and was called by the death angel while on one of the journeys pertaining to his calling. His labors in the Gospel field had extended over a period of sixty years, during which time he never charged a dollar for his preaching, but on the contrary, gave from his own means to aid the poor. He reared nine children, eight sons and one daughter.

The next in direct line of descent was Isaac Williams, the father of our subject, who was born in KY in 1800. He sojourned in his native state until he was twenty-two years old, then came to White Co., IL in company with his father. He followed farming throughout his life. In 1848 he came to Pike County, settling on section 4, Atlas Township. He lived to be seventy-three years of age and from his twentieth year had been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. His good wife was also united with that church and adhered faithfully to its doctrines until called home in her eightieth year. She bore the maiden name of Sarah Coleman and was one of a family of twenty-two children. She was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom were reared.

The maternal grandfather of our subject was Henry Coleman, who spent his entire life in the Blue Grass State and was quite old when called from time to eternity. He belonged to the Baptist Church and was a farmer by occupation. His father, who bore the same given name as himself, was born in Germany and came to America prior to the Revolution, during which he fought in the Colonial Army. He went to KY while it was still a territory, and when the settlers lived in stockades and were often engaged in conflict with the Indians. He lived to be ninety-three years of age and reared a small family.

The subject of this sketch opened his eyes to the light Nov, 12, 1820, in Ohio County, KY. He was but two years old when brought to this State and grew to maturity in White County amid the primitive scenes whose memory is vivid and includes much of interest. His education was obtained in the old log school house of the early days, with its puncheon floors and seats, its immense fireplace and the greased paper windows through which the light struggled for admission. The schools were kept up by the subscription plan and the teacher "boarded around" as an honored guest in the pioneer homes.

In 1844 the gentleman of whom we write came to Pike County, making the journey by team and wagon and camping on route. His first location was in Pittsfield Township, where he remained a year. Wild game was still to be found in this section and he hunted quite a little, killing turkeys and deer. When he arrived here he had but one shilling in money, but was blessed by a good wife and three children. He rented land for seven years and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Derry Township. He has been abundantly prospered in financial affairs and now owns six hundred acres of land in a body and eighty acres on the bottom. He lives a somewhat quiet life, but in former years carried on extensive farming operations and raised stock of all kinds in great numbers.

In 1837 Mr. Williams was married to Nancy Funkhouser. She was born in White County in 1820 and died at the age of sixty-six years. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom the following grew to maturity: Virgil, William, Sarah, Isaac, Henry and Mary. In 1883 our subject was again married, his bride being Rachel (Drummond) Shin, who was born in this county June 20, 1857. She is a woman of exemplary character, a capable housewife and devoted companion. She belongs to the Primitive Baptist Church.

The political adherence of our subject is given to the Democratic party and he has held various township offices. In 1842 he united with the Primitive Baptist Church, was subsquently ordained as a minister of the Gospel and has preached in this state, Missouri, and Iowa. He has baptized a great many converts. For many years he has been moderator of the Mt. Gilead Assembly of the Regular Baptist Church. He still preaches in two churches and frequently addresses the people in different settlements through the county.

Transcribed & Contributed by Rosemary Reeves - Portrait and Biographies of Pike and Calhoun Counies

( Additional Biography found on Rootsweb World Connect by Linda Byak
Nov 12 1820 in Ohio County, Kentucky - Mar 26 1912 in Pike Co., Illinois)

His early life was passed on his father`s farm in White county,Illinois, whither his father had moved when his son was but 2 years old.Here also he obtained his education in the old-fashioned log school house with a window of greased paper where a log had been taken out for the purpose; indeed, Mr. W. never went to school where glass windows were used. June 22, 1837, he married Miss Nancy J. Funkhouser, daughter of Isaac Funkhouser, in White County, Illinois, and 3 children were born to them in that county, namely, Sarah, Virgil and William. In 1844 he moved with his family to this county, settling in Pittefield tp., where he commenced farming. His land title not being perfect, he returned his claim to the seller in 1846, and removed into Derry township, where he rented farms for several years. In 1852 he bought the SE. Qr. of sec.32, this tp. which place was slightly improved, having on it a log house.The same year he moved his family here. He has since put under fine cultivation about 100 acres at this place. Here he lived about 14 yearswhen he moved to a farm which he bought, the SW. Qr. sec, 31, this tp.,where he is still residing.
In 1842 Mr. Williams joined the Primitive Baptist Church, of which he has ever since been a member. He is a man of deep cnvictions, and has believed it his duty to take a public and active part in the cause of the Church. His public efforts caused his brethern to induce him to become a regular preacher, and with some reluctance he complied with their wishes, and was ordained after about two years preaching. He has now served in that capacity 22 years. He has never preached for a salary.He has preached at the regular annual and monthly meetings in Missouri and Iowa, besides this state.
At present he owns 515 acres of land in ths tp., and 80 acres in tp 6,s., 6. He has 4 children livng, 2 boys and 2 girls. Wm. D. married Angeline Noore and lives on one of his father`s farms, on sec 32; Isaac married Eliza Jane Moore, and lives on sec. 30, his father`s farm of 200 acres. Sarah married Benjamin House and lives in Atlas tp., Fanny married Charles Drummond . He has had 8 other children, who have deceased, namely Mary, who died after she was a married woman; Henry, who died at the age of 17; Lucy Annand Martin, who died very young, and 3 others died in infancy. Although Mr. Williams is interested in political matters, he has not taken a very active and prominent part. He is a Democrat, has been collector,commissioner, township trustee, etc. It is claimed that the first personever baptized by the Green River (Ky) waters was Mrs. Williams` greatgrandmother on her mother`s side. Mr. Williams` post office address is Eldara.